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Monday, December 17, 2012

US Army To Publish Manual Of Taboo Subjects- Taliban, Women's Rights, Pedophilia

Apparently it's the fault of U.S. troops in Afghanistan that they're being targeted by Afghan soldiers in green on blue attacks: they're just too darn insensitive and bereft of any understanding of Afghan culture. To remedy this the U.S. Army has decided to publish a handbook of no-no, taboo subjects soldiers are not allowed to discuss with their Afghan counterparts including: women's rights, pedophilia and how nasty the Taliban really are.

Not everyone is thrilled about it though. According to spokesman for the coalition forces in Afghanistan Colonel Tom Collins, the head honcho in that hellhole, U.S. Marine General John Allen, definitely does not approve.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) was privy to a version of the handbook, and published some quotes.

"Many of the confrontations occur because of [coalition] ignorance of, or lack of empathy for, Muslim and/or Afghan cultural norms, resulting in a violent reaction from the [Afghan security force] member."

The study, based on interviews with 600 members of the Afghan security forces and 200 American soldiers, painted a grim portrait of opposing cultures with simmering disdain for their counterparts.

The draft handbook includes a summary stating that some U.S. soldiers consider Afghan forces to be “basically stupid” thieves, "gutless in combat," "profoundly dishonest" and engaged in "treasonous collusion and alliances with enemy forces."

The draft handbook offers a list of "taboo conversation topics" that soldiers should avoid, including "making derogatory comments about the Taliban," "advocating women's rights," "any criticism of pedophilia," "directing any criticism toward Afghans," "mentioning homosexuality and homosexual conduct" or "anything related to Islam," according to the Journal.